Labour Party has accused President Bola Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress of silencing opposition leaders including Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the LP in the last general elections.
The APC had in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said that Obi was a pessimist and purveyor of bad things about Nigeria. The APC chieftain was reacting to a press conference that Obi organised as part of his activities for the New Year.
LP leader, Marcel Ngogbehei wrote a statement on Tuesday to condemn all activities of the presidency and the APC to stiffen the voice of the opposition.
Ngogbehei said, “With all due respect, I write to you in my capacity as the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration. The Labour Party has stood firm and strong as the leading opposition party in Nigeria and we wish to express grave concern over the recent unguarded and threatening remarks made by Mr. Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“These statements, which target H.E. Peter Obi, a respected global figure and the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, go beyond political rivalry and pose a direct threat to our democracy, peace, and unity.
“Your Excellency, as a key leader in the opposition for many years, you and the APC were beneficiaries of the freedoms and protections afforded by Nigeria’s democratic system under the then President Goodluck Jonathan, which allowed you to challenge the status quo and ultimately ascend to power.
“We, therefore, call on you as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the leader of the ruling APC, to publicly caution and reprimand Mr. Felix Morka for his inflammatory statements within the next seven (7) days.
“Should Your Excellency choose not to act decisively by openly condemning Mr. Morka’s statements, it will send a troubling signal to Nigerians and the international community that your administration is either complicit in or indifferent to threats against democracy and political dissent.
“It is imperative for your administration to distance itself from any rhetoric or actions that threaten free speech, suppress opposition, or endanger the lives of political leaders. Leadership, Your Excellency, demands the courage to defend democracy not just in words but through action.
“I trust in your wisdom and leadership to act in the best interest of our nation and to ensure that our democracy remains strong, inclusive, and resilient.”
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